Your story proves that being in the game creates opportunities you can’t plan for.

When you are getting into raising big dollars from sophisticated investors they are going to want to see a track record and a well thought out and detailed business plan.

At a minimum, having viable plans in place for development will make these lots more marketable and valuable to potential builders when we have conversations. 

If the plan is to use this as an investment property, your client may want to check out a DSCR loan.

I explained to the landlord what my business plan was, and paid him a set rent amount each month (though slightly higher than market rate rent).

DSCR is available for an LLC to use for purchase and cash out refis as long as you never plan to occupy the property yourself.

I plan to get my RE License as well because this is a direction I want to go down for a career. 

They're fine for buying a turnkey, older home that gets "spruced up" and comes with a 1-year warranty on their repairs.

What do you plan on doing with the puppies (once they are old enough to rehome-ie 6-8 weeks old)? 

Denver is a strong market with solid appreciation and plenty of opportunities, especially for strategies like house hacking and the BRRRR method.Your plan to start with FHA and house hacking is a great way to get your feet wet.